The knight heads to f4, an optimistic plan.
11. b3a4 The a4-square is a natural one for the bishop when Black has played the pawn to a5 and not a6, since now b7-b5 is not available. 11... c6e7 A typical maneuver in the Italian. 12. d3d4 Without the knight on c6, White can advance the pawn in the center. 12... e7g6  13. a4c2 The bishop hA fulfilled his role and now returns to reinforce the center.